good grief...

[acroyear]

RNC shells out $150K for Palin fashion - Jeanne Cummings - Politico.com:

The Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August.

According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.

The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.

The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.

The cash expenditures immediately raised questions among campaign finance experts about their legality under the Federal Election Commission's long-standing advisory opinions on using campaign cash to purchase items for personal use.

[A campaign spokesman finally gave in and said the clothes will be sold for charitable purposes after the election.]

The business of primping and dressing on the campaign trail has become fraught with political risk in recent years as voters increasingly see an elite Washington out of touch with their values and lifestyles.

In 2000, Democrat Al Gore took heat for changing his clothing hues. And in 2006, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) was ribbed for two hair styling sessions that cost about $3,000.

Then, there was Democrat John Edwards’ $400 hair cuts in 2007 and Republican McCain’s $520 black leather Ferragamo shoes this year.

Comments

[dawntreader]

surely you don't think that's the first time she charged up massive amount of money for personal gain do you?? on tax-payer and government dollars?

she's been billing the state of Alaska for several years now!

boy, i can just imagine what she'd do with the national coffers. all that fiscal conservativism just waiting to be spreed.

[3fingeredsalute.livejournal.com]

Those darned tax and spend GOP and their elitist wardrobes!

[margoeve.livejournal.com]

I knew she was looking better than she had as Governor.

[cozit.livejournal.com]

"You've just been named as a running mate to a candidate for the US Presidency... and what else have you won? A *new* *Makeover*!!!" (the crowd cheers, etc...)

Oops, wrong tv show....

Geez, and I'm stressing over a $35 haircut? Yeah, I can see updating wardrobe to match the image they want to present... but *that's* a bit ridiculous.